Friday, February 27, 2009

Considerations when Choosing a Home Care Service

In this economy, many people worry about the cost of care and it can become a large factor in the decisions that are made. While price should be a consideration, we know the health and well-being of a family member is your top priority.

JFS at Home, Jewish Family Service’s home care division, is passionate about hiring great people who are committed to serving their clients’ needs. All of the caregivers are carefully screened and well credentialed. They pass rigorous background checks and are thoroughly trained so you’ll receive the kind of care you’d give to one of your own family members.

The caregivers are also bonded and insured JFS at Home employees—that means you don’t have to worry because JFS at Home is responsible and liable for all of its employees. Plus, the rates are competitive, so you receive quality care at an affordable price, thus giving you peace of mind.

Visit the Web site for more information or call (303) 750.4000 for a free in-home consultation to assess your family member’s needs. It does not obligate you to further service.

--Carla Weeks, RN, MSN, FNP, JFS at Home director

Friday, February 20, 2009

February is National Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month


Did you know February is National Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month? This is the first year that Jewish organizations, synagogues, and federations are banding together to help the Jewish community foster inclusion for people with disabilities.

Imagine the transformation that could occur if we all joined together in achieving the common goal of including people with disabilities in our Jewish organizations and communities. Imagine the opportunities that would arise if we simultaneously endeavored to raise awareness, increase educational and spiritual growth, and accept every individual in every aspect of the Jewish community. (Taken from the Jewish Community Website of Greater Philadelphia)

This Sunday, February 22, the Jewish Disabilities Network is hosting a Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day event from 2 to 5 p.m. at Herzl/RMHA at the Denver Campus for Jewish Education.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Jeffrey Lichtman, director of the Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities, as well as entertaining and educational children’s activities for people of all ages. Kosher refreshments will be served.

We hope to see you there!
--Kari Alpen and Alaina Green, JFS Marketing Department

Friday, February 13, 2009

Be Your Own Valentine!

If you are alone this Valentine's Day, here are some tips from the JFS Counseling Center on how to deal with this holiday created by Hallmark.


· Be friendly and loving to yourself.
· Devote time each day for just you.
· Remind yourself that you are valuable.
· Practice self compassion.
· Be calm in your heart.
· Use your support system.

If you are having a hard time coping with the loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, or are just having a difficult time in general, our licensed therapists are here to help. To find out if our services are right for you or to schedule a confidential appointment, call us at (303) 597.7777 and ask for the intake therapist or you can check out our support groups.

--Alaina Green and Kari Alpen, JFS Marketing Department

Friday, February 6, 2009

SHALOM Denver Director Celebrates 30th Anniversary

From Guest Blogger Arnie Kover, JFS Disability Services director and SHALOM Denver director...

Yesterday, I celebrated my 30th anniversary with Jewish Family Service and SHALOM Denver. Below is a speech I gave to colleagues and friends on February 4 at a party in my honor:
When I say thirty years at my job, the words “Why? How? That’s amazing and what’s the secret?” come to mind. Well, we all hear about codes lately, like Da Vinci code or bible code, etc. Numerology is a code and the Tarot is a code in itself, a path to enlightenment.

These are all “secret” codes to the secrets of life, paths to a knowing, spiritual, and meaningful life. While I have “dabbled” in some of these, the secret code I discovered is Jewish Family Service/ SHALOM Denver.

When I found JFS, I stumbled on my secret code to enlightenment and fulfillment. The code is in each word of our organization...

JEWISH...My Jewish heart and soul were wandering - and wondering - Where do I fit as a Jew? I am not intensely observant, but strong in my Jewish ethnicity and identity. Here I have found my Jewish roots in the Denver Jewish community through the work we do, through our benefit of time off to observe our holidays, through our D'Var Torahs at each meeting and through our commitment to our ancient value, Tikkun Olam, “to repair the world, one life at a time.” Here at JFS, my Jewish heart and soul have found a home and I thank you for that.

FAMILY... Just look at this family! You are truly a family of staff, clients, board members and peers, who I enjoy and love immensely. Family is so important to me... my own family, my children, grandchildren, and my devoted and loving wife. Add to them all of you, and who could ask for a more wonderful family? JFS is more than just a non- profit human service organization, it is indeed a family, and for this I thank you.

SERVICE...I need and want service in my life! I learned this in my 20s. I learned this on my journey, my quest for meaning, back in the ‘60s. I learned about it through my exploration of various religious paths to enlightenment. I found opportunities to serve and to find out that I could find happiness, satisfaction, and pride by serving others and not only myself. When my daughters came along, I learned that too - in a very big way, and here at SHALOM, I get to serve so many, and from this service I get so much in return. And for this I thank you!

SHALOM...meaning peace. Well, I am surely a peacenik from the ‘60s and still today. Working with our clients, staff, board, and peers, brings healing and joy to thousands of beautiful, appreciative people. One need only to contemplate the amount of goodness and RIGHT action that is done daily, to feel the sense of peace that we create in people and in the world and in ourselves. Again, thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this peace amidst such a tumultuous world.

DENVER....Well this part is still a mystery - how a beach bum like me landed in the Rockies. The answer must be that I was led here by a higher power to find my CODE, my very own path to enlightenment and to a fulfilled life.... to JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE/SHALOM Denver. And for this I thank God.

--Arnie Kover, JFS Disability Services director and SHALOM Denver director

A client at SHALOM Denver gave the following toast at the party:

"There is so called 365 days per year so for 30 years there is so called 10,950 days. Happy Anniversary, Arnie from Sam Gustav Keys."

To learn more about Arnie's career with SHALOM Denver, read the following stories: